Governor of Imo State, Senator Hope Uzodimma has commended the resilience of Nigerians that made it possible for the country to still stand firm today, 61 years after Independence despite all odds.

He also said that the dream of Nigeria as a work in progress has a lot to do with their resilience, noting that the country has every reason to celebrate at 61 regardless of the circumstances she has found herself in today.

Addressing Nigerians who came out to celebrate the 61st Independence Anniversary at the Hero’s Square in Owerri the Imo State capital, the Governor said in spite of the challenges that have assailed the nation in the last 61years, Nigeria is still standing strong and even waxing stronger.

He congratulated all Nigerians - our leaders and heroes, past and present, for their individual and collective contributions and sacrifices in sustaining the big Nigerian family these 61 years.

“This is more so for the fact that in spite of the challenges that have assailed the nation in the last 61years, Nigeria is still standing strong and even waxing stronger.”

The Governor also thanked President Muhammadu Buhari for providing “inspirational leadership at the most trying time of our Nation, a time the Country has had to contend with reactionary elements who want to sabotage the Nation for purely selfish and political reasons.”

The Governor said: “The activities of these elements manifesting in banditry, kidnapping and other forms of criminality have been a set back to the progress and development of a Nation.”

Furthermore, he condemned the activities of the reactionary groups that have led to the waste of trillions of naira which would have been used for development of the nation instead, but is wasted in fighting insurgency and criminality.

For the South East where Imo State belongs, the Governor appealed to them to use the occasion of Independence to re-evaluate the recent activities of their youths as they relate to relationship with other Nigerians in terms of our economic growth and their future aspirations.

He reminded them of the devastating consequences of a 30 months civil war that affected the zone so badly and cannot be allowed to repeat itself.

Governor Uzodimma reiterated his earlier stand that “we stand to benefit more in the United Nigeria where justice and equity define the group’s existence.”

His words: “As a people who are everywhere in Nigeria Ndi Igbo need to remain agents of consolidation, not division and destruction to avoid suffering in their own Country by their actions or inactions.”

He saluted the good people of Imo State and reminded them that “the 61st Independence Anniversary celebration is a clarion call to move closer as a people in the pursuit of our common goal which is to make Imo State better for the future generations.”

The Governor congratulated Ndi Imo, “particularly those of them who break all odds to express their faith in the United Nigeria by residing in almost all parts of the country to ply their sundry trades and businesses,” and described their actions as “patriotic.”

Governor Uzodimma reminded his audience that 2019 elections have long been concluded and as so asked all and sundry to forget about it and focus on the future.

He used the occasion to again extend his hands of fellowship to Imo brothers and sisters on the other side of political divide to join the prosperity agenda-driven government to offer quality service to Imo people.

Governor Uzodimma highlighted the modest achievements of his government in reversing the decay in infrastructure, addressing the rot in the civil service and halting the corruption in the payroll system, as well as touching the lives of Imo youths, saying that his “government has spent more than N8billion in their training and empowerment in the past one year.”

In addition, he said that his government has tried to restore relative peace in Imo State today which came with high price and thanked President Buhari and security Agencies for their invaluable support to the State Government in tackling what he called “the worst form of banditry and criminality ever witnessed in the State.”

“As a Government and the people we have crushed them,” he said warning that “anybody who attempts to disrupt the peace of the State may not live to tell the story.”

The Governor used the occasion to remind Imo people that Covid-19 is real and that they should desist from living in denial.

He recalled that “the daily statistics of NCDC showed increase in infection and fatalities,” reminding all that his Government has spent a lot of resources to ensure the good health and safety of Imo people.

The Governor warned that where the people refuse to take the vaccination seriously or to obey the Covid-19 protocols his government might be forced to make the vaccination compulsory and “possibly take the further steps of insisting that no one can do any business with government without evidence of vaccination.”

Governor Uzodimma also reminded his audience that the recent visit of President Buhari to Imo State has started yielding dividends as the state is to benefit from the establishment of a Dam from the Otamiri River capable of powering a 10 megawatts plant that can generate electricity when completed and help improve water supply in the State.

He said in a few weeks, Vice President Yemi Osibanjo will be coming to Imo State, “precisely on October 15, to administer a N12billion empowerment programme to the private sector.” “Imo traders, artisans and the vulnerable are expected to benefit from this massive empowerment. This is a direct benefit from the presidential visit,” he said.

He said another benefit from President Buhari’s visit is that “the Federal Government has graciously included Imo State as a beneficiary of its special Agric Processing Zone Project for Livestock farming.”

“Out of the seven states in the country that will benefit from a Federal Government $850 million for the programme, Imo State is Number two! Consequently, a whopping $120million will soon be released to our state for the livestock programme.

“That is not all. Out of a $1.4billion facility secured by the federal government from the World Bank for Urban and Rural Water development, Imo State, representing the Southeast zone, is among the States approved to benefit from the programme.”

Governor Uzodimma used the occasion to call for rededication of Nigerians to peaceful coexistence emphasizing that “the labour, sweat and blood of our founding fathers should never be in vain.”

“Also the spirit of brotherhood, negotiations and compromise that informed the pre- and post- Independence agreement for a United Federal Republic of Nigeria must be reborn in the present generation of leaders,” he explained.

Highlights of the occasion were the cutting of anniversary cake and the release of white pigeons to express the unity of Nigeria.

The event was graced by the First Lady, Barr. Chioma Uzodimma, the Deputy Governor, Prof. Placid Njoku and his wife, Dr. Bola Njoku, the Speaker of the Imo State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Paul Emeziem, serving and former National and State Assembly lawmakers and members of the Imo State Expanded executive council.

Also in attendance were military and paramilitary organizations, traditional rulers, religious leaders, Labour and youth organizations, among others.

•PHOTO: Imo State Governor, Senator Hope Uzodimma (centre) releases the pigeon as a sign of peace to mark the 61st Independence Anniversary of Nigeria while other Government Functionaries watch at Heroes Square, Owerri

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